Big 12 & Louisville

Sooner Nation

First, I want to express my gratitude towards everyone who is a regular on this board – of how much I enjoy the sportsmanship, the discussions and equally important, of how welcomed I’ve always felt to jump on a thread & offer my opinion.  Truly a demonstration of OU spirit & camaraderie.  I appreciate that quite a bit.   

But I gotta know something and I need to hear it from you. 

Since you guys are at the core of OU / Big 12 Football – I value your opinion and I know you’ll be straight up honest with me.

As my Avatar suggests, I’m from Louisville – but have been a fan of OU Football fan since I played 7^th & 8^th grade football – idolizing the likes of Greg Pruitt, Joe Washington, the Selmons’ and all the others.  However, I’m also love’n me some U of L football too – a season ticket holder & I will earn my degree there next year.  (I’m on the 30 year plan) and I’m very excited about the progress our program has made in the last two seasons under Charlie Strong.

So - by now, you probably know where I’m going with all this. 

Tell me - how do YOU guys feel about Louisville as a possible Big XII member?

Only discussion I get in this region is from KY / SEC big 12 haters, who are eager to minimize any success that Louisville enjoys.  Or, it’s speculation from Louisville fans that somehow want to hold on to the Big East dream of a Hoops & Football Utopia.  By and large, most true football fans want out of the BE…today…and the opportunity to play Big 12 ball is beyond our imagination.

For now, I really don’t want to get into reasons or rational (stadium size, academic achievement and all that) so I’ll pay you the compliment.  I just wanna know how you feel.

So I ask you - should Louisville get the invite, would Sooner Nation be ok with such a selection?

What’s the general public opinion on this?

Thanks for your time / response – didn’t mean to write a dissertation – just wanted to ask those who’s opinion truly matter.

Your Brother In Football

The Big 12 will need to bring in two more schools from the east to group with UWV. Louisville and Cinny are the likely choices. FSU and Clemson have been thrown out there but I don't see them making the move.

First, I disagree VERY STRONGLY with the Big XII leadership when they say that keeping the Big XII at 10 teams is the way to go.  With other conferences expanding to 14 (and probably more later), the Big XII cannot stay at 10 and expect to keep up in revenue or championships.


I think bringing Louisville and Cincinati (I know you didn't ask about them but...) is a great idea.  Instant eastern division with WVU along with probably Iowa State and the two Kansas schools.  You are right, in the past few Louisville has done well.   I think they might slip a bit having to face the tougher competition in the Big XII but all in all, they'd be better than Colorado.


And what they'd bring in basketball credibility would more than make up for any slippage in football.  I say, Bring on the Cardinals. 

But first we have to teach them "Louisville"  is pronounced Lou is ville.... Not Looovalllll  Cheezzzh...
I would like to see the Cardinals in the Big 12.  I like their tenacity in FB and they certainly have respect in the BBall arena.  I think that most of the coaches/school regents feel the same.  I think it will happen, and happen soon.  As for Cinncy, I am not a fan particularly.  But they would give us a foot into the Ohio Valley area.  That could be a huge plus for Big 12 recruiting.  I think my first choice after the Cardinals would be BYU.  (actually ND, but that is a pipe dream).  I expect by the end of next year going into 2013 or 2014 the Big 12 will go to 14 teams... Got to, the super conference is going to happen, especially since plus one is on the horizon and soon!
If the students at UofL have a problem with the pronouncation, just tell them to watch reruns of "Whatcha yu mean Louis" and just add ville...

I, too, do not think that the Big 12 will stay at 10 teams for very long - nor should it. Nor will the Big 12 allow West Virginia to dangle out there without any regional competition. Without proof - just my gut feeling - there will be two more invitations sooner than later and possibly two more after that by mid-decade. I believe that Louisville will be included in one of those two expansions, probably the first one. This Cowboy fan would welcome it. Now, how is the feeling amoung Louisville fans about possible membership in the Big 12?

No issue here with Louisville in the B12. 

I'm okay with Louisville & West Virginia coming over!! Just don't like all this traveling the greed has put on all these student athletes and fans!? But it is what it is so I'm glad we are getting two quality schools!! I still feel like Air Force & BYU would be good also just for regional purposes!!! I'm glad we didn't get together with the PAC-12!! The Thunder are on a West Coast road trip and I can't stay awake through a whole game!!! Lol. I really think Louisville & West Virginia are the biggest winners by joining our conference!! I think we should make a run at Ole Miss & Miss State!! And scramble the SEC's conference up!!! It's hard to replace a Nebraska & aTm!? Both schools had great tradition!? I just think conferences should stay regional, but that's a thing of the past!!!!

Thanks for the replies -

Scape & S Alum

Big 12 will need to bring in two more schools from the east...

disagree VERY STRONGLY with the Big XII leadership....

As a possible newcomer to the conference...it wouldn't be appropriate for me to question the conference leadership - hell I'm try'in to get in so I'll trust their judgment, but as an OU fan - I would advocate the return to 12 teams & the conference CG.

...they may slip a bit having to face the tougher competition...

Absolutely - there would be a sigificant change to the program - and although I believe we may get a get a black eye or two in the beginning, we'd recover, recruit and coach our way in to the Big 12 landscape well.

"Louisville" is pronounced Lou is ville

It's Loo a vull - we've managed to drop the "s" sound all together.

allow West Virginia to dangle out there without any regional competition -

That's a good point Bummer - The U of L / WVU rivalry has been a signature game for both programs, the BE and more importantly, for TV.  So why wouldn't the new look Big 12 not want to showcase this game in its new found territory?

how is the feeling among Louisville fans about possible membership in the Big 12?

As mentioned earlier, the heightened competition level will have quite an impact on our program & players, but mostly a shock to the fans - but this would be a welcomed change to most.  We have total faith in our coaches & their philosophy, so there is little doubt that the program will meet the challenge of B12 competition.  As far as the fans go - we want OFF the Roller Coaster ride.  In all fairness, most of our difficulties of maintaining a competitive program is due to periodic coaching changes.  Losing Patrino was a blow that set us back - but all the best to him. The point is, we can't maintain any continuity unless C Strong stays with us and the Louisville HC job becomes a Destination - not just a step up on the coaching ladder of success.

This, along with a desire to abandon the sinking ship known as the BE conference.  Football is not taken serious in the BE - period.

We want to win Football games - alot of them and we want to go Bowling in January, not December.

There's more....let the discussion continue. 

Bring on that Louisville football.

Cincy is not my first choice as a Big XII team but the problem with BYU and Air Force...well, they are west.  WVU and L'ville need more eastern competition.  Cincy seems to be the best choice.  Notre Dame is a non-starter.  Grabiing Pitt would have been a good idea (too late).  FSU and Clemson are, in my opinion, also not going to happen.  So where does that leave us?  Cincinati.

I'm okay with Louisville & West Virginia coming over!! Just don't like all this traveling the greed has put on all these student athletes and fans!? But it is what it is so I'm glad we are getting two quality schools!! I still feel like Air Force & BYU would be good also just for regional purposes!!! I'm glad we didn't get together with the PAC-12!! The Thunder are on a West Coast road trip and I can't stay awake through a whole game!!! Lol. I really think Louisville & West Virginia are the biggest winners by joining our conference!! I think we should make a run at Ole Miss & Miss State!! And scramble the SEC's conference up!!! It's hard to replace a Nebraska & aTm!? Both schools had great tradition!? I just think conferences should stay regional, but that's a thing of the past!!!!

Losing Nebraska, Colorado, A&M and Missouri and replacing them with WVU, TCU and possibly Louisville and Cincinnati isn't an even exchange imo but that said.....it is what it is and the Big 12 needs to get off its ass and join the rest of cfb.  Like it or not the sport has evolved into 14-16 teams per conference.  Big 12 needs to find a couple more in addition to those listed above (assuming those do come to fruition) but the plain fact is geopgraphy is a big issue.  And clearly, Big 12 is going east, not west imo.  Other schools I'd love for the Big 12 to go after are Georgia Tech and believe it or not, Tulane.  Yes, Tulane would be cannon fodder football wise, but they bring academics and a big foothold in the SEC recruiting territory.  And they were once an SEC school...as was Georgia Tech btw.   

    

War, are you talking for a competitve standpoint or from a TV's standpoint?

In past 15-20 years WVU = Nebraska (historically no)

In past 15-20 years TCU = Texas A&M (A&M really never did much in Big 12)

In past 15 years Cincy and Louisville close to Colorado and Missouri in football.

So from a perspective of "BCS history" the change over is pretty even in my opinion. I didnt go back and do the comparisons but to the eye it looks pretty close in this time frame. Historically we miss Nebraska's presense and perhaps A&M a little for the 10-12 year run prior to the BCS.

TV wise we gain...

We couldnt tout the TV's in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia that we will now be getting. The population in Ohio isnt too bad (almost as many as Missouri, Colorado, and Nebraska combined) so we are definitiely increasing the potential viewing audience which should mean more competitive TV contracts. That is why I like the addition of Cincinnati. They have some upside as a program in a great football region. They can upgrade(build a new) that stadium or strike a deal to play in Paul Brown Stadium.

I was hoping that B12 would get wise and add Memphis and Louisville. Yes, Memphis. Been a big propent of adding them when there was hope of expanding to 16 teams. That got dashed a few days ago when Memphis joined the Big East. The reason I wanted to add Memphis was for a few reasons:

1) Road trips would be awesome as in seeing BB King Blues club, outstanding BBQ, and other sites. (ok, so those are more about the day before and after the game on a personal level)

2) Fed Ex Pres has been saying for years that he would pay tens of millions to a AQ conference to let Memphis in. If they got in, not only would he pay a "donation" but also jump the schools athletic facilities to match the mid level quality within that conference or better. He would also do a similar building up of acedemic buildings. Hello, this guy offered to make Boone's donation look small and no one ever took him up on it.

3) Its in the SEC area...decent market area for tv and close enough to other SEC states that when OU goes there for away games, future recruits could see us in action by buying a ticket to help them with their selection process.

4) again, close for WV and Louisville to have a couple game pretty close to help with travel costs. 

Originally (pre TCU addition) I wanted the Big 12 to add Louisville, WVU, Memphis, and Cincinnati to really expand the market.

If the Big 12 expands to 14 or 16 I would like to look at S Florida, S Miss, New Mexico and Colorado St.

I would guess the priorities in putting in 4 more teams would be (1) financial; TV markets, Fan & alumni bases..... (2)Recruiting: opening up additional markets for all the B12 schools....  (3)Academics:  B12 weak point...  (4)Stability; Teams that will stay and keep the B12 secure.... 

I would think some of these schools would not fit the bill.  I hope whoever takes over the B12 gives us some great leadership and above all keeps us together.... 

Hello Sooner Nation from a Mountaineer fan.  You guys have been discussing what I was curious about in expanding the Big XII.  Adding L'ville would be a huge plus both in football and basketball.  With Pitt and 'Cuse "scheduled" to join the ACC in 2013 or 2014, I was wondering if the Big XII would attempt to turn one or both of those teams.  Both would be great for basketball and hopefully both schools have brought in coaches to turn their football programs around (not to mention saving the Backyard Brawl between WVU and Pitt).  To gain a footprint into SEC territory and gain a larger media market, I could see adding USF (an up and coming program - as well as one, if not the biggest university in FL) or adding FSU to get into SEC.  Going after Georgia Tech would place a bigger footprint in the SEC and garnish the Atlanta market.  If the Big XII wanted a bigger footprint in the media market, adding Rutgers could be interesting.  Suprisingly, Rutgers has had a good recruiting class even though their HC left for the NFL.  Rutgers was wanting to go to the Big 10, but with the Big East collapsing all around on the football side, I think they would entertain the thought of getting out.

This could get the Big XII to a 14 or 16 team league and give a Big XII East and West.  I know that this is easier typed than done, but going after a couple more Big East teams could add to the media market overall and enter some of the SEC sacred grounds.  Just a thought. 

War, are you talking for a competitve standpoint or from a TV's standpoint?

In past 15-20 years WVU = Nebraska (historically no)

In past 15-20 years TCU = Texas A&M (A&M really never did much in Big 12)

In past 15 years Cincy and Louisville close to Colorado and Missouri in football.

So from a perspective of "BCS history" the change over is pretty even in my opinion. I didnt go back and do the comparisons but to the eye it looks pretty close in this time frame. Historically we miss Nebraska's presense and perhaps A&M a little for the 10-12 year run prior to the BCS.

TV wise we gain...

We couldnt tout the TV's in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia that we will now be getting. The population in Ohio isnt too bad (almost as many as Missouri, Colorado, and Nebraska combined) so we are definitiely increasing the potential viewing audience which should mean more competitive TV contracts. That is why I like the addition of Cincinnati. They have some upside as a program in a great football region. They can upgrade(build a new) that stadium or strike a deal to play in Paul Brown Stadium.

Bad....I'm talking about a combination of everything.....academics, tradition, geography, sports and TV.  I think the biggest loss football wise was Nebraska...that is a national brand that simply can't be replaced.  All that said...I've got no beef with WVU. Louisville, Cincinnati, etc.  I get that with WVU and Louisville (maybe Cincy) it can be a big add TV wise.  And it adds some new recruiting areas too.  I just would rather have had the Big 12 be proactive and have kept our teams intact and then add some of the other TV markets.  Right now, the conference is really behind the curve...we have to add 2 more just to get back to 12.  

Hello Sooner Nation from a Mountaineer fan.  You guys have been discussing what I was curious about in expanding the Big XII.  Adding L'ville would be a huge plus both in football and basketball.  With Pitt and 'Cuse "scheduled" to join the ACC in 2013 or 2014, I was wondering if the Big XII would attempt to turn one or both of those teams.  Both would be great for basketball and hopefully both schools have brought in coaches to turn their football programs around (not to mention saving the Backyard Brawl between WVU and Pitt).  To gain a footprint into SEC territory and gain a larger media market, I could see adding USF (an up and coming program - as well as one, if not the biggest university in FL) or adding FSU to get into SEC.  Going after Georgia Tech would place a bigger footprint in the SEC and garnish the Atlanta market.  If the Big XII wanted a bigger footprint in the media market, adding Rutgers could be interesting.  Suprisingly, Rutgers has had a good recruiting class even though their HC left for the NFL.  Rutgers was wanting to go to the Big 10, but with the Big East collapsing all around on the football side, I think they would entertain the thought of getting out.

This could get the Big XII to a 14 or 16 team league and give a Big XII East and West.  I know that this is easier typed than done, but going after a couple more Big East teams could add to the media market overall and enter some of the SEC sacred grounds.  Just a thought. 

Welcome Mountaineer fan...

Welcome Mountaineer fan...

Thanks wardog.  Hope to have some good discussions with you guys this season.